Unilever NV, the maker of consumer products such as Dove soap, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and Lipton tea, on Thursday reported a sharp decline in its fourth-quarter profit compared with results a year ago fattened by a gain from selling a business. Its sales edged up.

European countries start enforcing the world's strictest rules on labeling genetically modified foods Sunday, but few such products are expected to come to market as consumers continue to shun what's often derided around the continent as "Frankenfood."